Japanese Language

With both undergraduate and graduate options available, Japanese language degree programs teach linguistic skills and help students gain an appreciation of Japan's history and culture. Read on for information on studying Japanese and possible career paths.

Inside the Japanese Language

According to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Japanese was the first language of 1.83% of the world's population in 2008; these speakers lived primarily in Japan, but also in Brazil and Palau (www.cia.gov). Japan is involved in the United Nations, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, World Trade Organization and International Monetary Fund, all of which are large and complex international organizations in which the United States is also involved. The amount of political and business involvement between the United States and Japan may be one of the reasons that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted strong demand for translators and interpreters of Japanese over the 2012-2022 decade (www.bls.gov).

Education Information

Japanese language degree programs focus on reading and writing in Japanese, using effective translation techniques, and understanding the culture of Japan. Other relevant degree options include international relations or international business programs, since these often require proficiency in a foreign language. Take a look at the following Study.com articles to learn about possible educational options.

Distance Learning Options

There is a plethora of choices for online training in the Japanese language. These courses may be helpful in improving your Japanese speaking and writing skills, but many free online courses can't be counted as part of a degree program. Some colleges and universities may offer distance learning options through professional development programs. Check out some of the online programs in the Japanese language listed below.

Career Options

Japanese language skills can be put to use in a variety of occupations, not all of which are explicitly focused on language use and translation. International business professionals, for example, might find their language skills useful when conducting business in Japan. Explore the following articles from Study.com to learn about possible careers.

Employment Information

Employment opportunities for translators, who are responsible for written documents, and interpreters, who deal with spoken language in real time, were expected to grow 46% during the 2012-2022 decade, according to the BLS. While the BLS states that there is no standardized certification required to practice as a translator or interpreter of Japanese, the American Translators Association offers voluntary certification in Japanese to English and English to Japanese translation, which may improve employment outcomes (www.atanet.org). As of May 2012, the mean annual wage for translators and interpreters was $53,410, says the BLS.

Japanese language proficiency and education can also be beneficial for those seeking employment in international relations or international business professions. When conducting sales negotiations or designing marketing campaigns for foreign markets, those able to speak the native language may have an advantage, if only in not needing to hire a translator or interpreter. The BLS reported that as of May 2012, the mean wage for sales managers was $119,980 annually.

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